Loving Those Who Suffer
Good morning... This week our blogs have focused on supporting one another, close friends and strangers, through the painful parts of life. A longtime friend wrote me a touching email about the loving support she received years ago. ****** Letters by Ella Herlihy In response to your post about how to love someone well when they are suffering and your heartstrings are pulled to care for them… We experienced what people refer to [...]
Tears Run Down My Face
Good morning... She wrote me after yesterday's post, Abby's Anniversary. "Sue, I don’t personally know any of these people and I’m reading your message with tears running down my face. I can’t imagine facing what they face. Is there anything someone who doesn’t know them can do to support? Obviously I’ve been praying for all of them. But is there anything that you could think of on a personal level that wouldn’t be [...]
On Abby’s Anniversary
Good morning... In the middle of the night I wrote yesterday's blog message, Abby. Audrey. Eliza. Then I climbed back into bed. After waking from my second sleep, I re-read Abby Smith's obituary and was surprised by the final line: The Celebration Service of Abby's life will be held on Sunday, August 21st at 3:00pm at Northside Church with a reception following. That was 2011. August 21st. God's Spirit somehow spurred me to write [...]
Abby. Audrey. Eliza.
Good morning... Neuroblastoma, a type of cancer that develops in immature nerve tissue, usually affects children under the age of five. In the spring of 2006, I began working at Northside Church in the Children's Ministry. Then in January of 2008, I became the Women's Ministry Director. Throughout my time at Northside, I have been deeply affected by the challenges of neuroblastoma, as we as a church have walked closely beside the families [...]
Audrey Needs Our Prayers
Good morning... The same full moon shining through our trees is pouring light over Children's Healthcare of Philadelphia right now. Nineteen year old Audrey DeShelter is at CHOP this week receiving treatment for her cancer. Our Fab Five friend group planned to share lunch with Audrey and her mom tomorrow before she heads to Notre Dame to begin her freshman year of college. Plans changed when we got Thursday's night's text: "2 new [...]
Fall Classes 2024
Good morning... God stretches the northern sky over empty space and hangs the earth on nothing (Job 26:7, NLT). As the nearly full moon peeks through the space between our roof and the trees, I am reminded of the poem I read yesterday as I spoke briefly in all three worship services at Northside Church. I talked about needing to open up space, breathing room for God, as we build the structure of [...]
How To Live Relaxed
Good morning... Highlighting a new book recommendation, Walk in a Relaxed Manner: Life Lessons from the Camino by Joyce Rupp, our post from yesterday was simply entitled Relax. Soon a friend emailed from Florida. "Good morning Sue," she wrote. "There’s that word again - relaxed - God in stereo! Watched more Megan Fate wisdom yesterday - can’t wait to read this book! Xo." https://www.instagram.com/reel/C9NQnafiQPM/?igsh=NjZiM2M3MzIxNA== After watching the short, smart instagram clip, I emailed [...]
Relax
Good morning... "I saw your walking post," she texted yesterday, "and then I came across this book on my shelf." Walk in a Relaxed Manner: Life Lessons from the Camino by Joyce Rupp. "Oh wow!" I replied. "I love Joyce Rupp. Might I borrow your book?" "I've ordered you your very own...it seemed fitting," she kindly texted. "Should have it tomorrow." "You are so sweet! Thank you. I can't wait," I soaked in [...]
Walking In The Open Air
Good morning... Breaking in new trail shoes for our upcoming group trips with Lovett Expeditions, Steve and I have been walking our dog Tate to and from the horse farm after dinner each night. Last night, I noticed the moon slowly inching her way toward full. Wispy clouds streaked the rich blue sky, and I marveled at God's mammoth masterpiece. "I don't think it is enough appreciated how much an outdoor book this [...]
Steve Leaves The Classroom
Good morning... As The Lovett School students return to the classroom today, my husband is leaving the classroom after twenty-nine years as head chaplain. Steve is branching out into the world in a meaningful new way. "Having led group travel for the past 35 years, I’ve learned one important fact: 'Things happen on trips,'" Steve wrote yesterday in his first Instagram post. "When we explore other lands, peoples, cultures and traditions, amazing things [...]
What I Learned Last Tuesday
Good morning... Last Tuesday was a doozy. Volunteering to help a friend who was moving, I offered to take her final leftover things to a Christian consignment store near us. Driving over, I thought to myself, "Might this be a side ministry God is directing me towards?" I can certainly pick up donated stuff from friends and transporting them to the consignment store, a non-profit ministry which benefits a nearby church by selling [...]
This New School Year
Good morning... As summer nears her end and this new school year begins, a friend read aloud a prayer. Once. Again. With silence surrounding. Might we do the same? Privately. Now. ****** Help me to journey beyond the familiar and into the unknown. Give me the faith to leave old ways and break fresh ground with you. Christ of mysteries, I trust You to be stronger than each storm within me. I will [...]